Organic structure determination messages

In all, at least 100 different molecules are involved in protein synthesis. Among the most important of these are the components of the ribosome, a supramolec-ular structure composed of RNA and protein that rapidly and precisely decodes genetic messages. Speed is required because organisms must respond expeditiously to ever-changing environmental conditions. In prokaryotes such as E. coli, for example, a polypeptide of 100 residues is synthesized in about 6 s. Precision in mRNA translation is critical because, as described previously, the accurate folding, and therefore the proper functioning, of each polypeptide is determined by the molecule s primary sequence. 

All atoms were drawn with whatever atom symbol had last been selected. To select an atom symbol the user touched the LABEL ATOM menu item, which caused a secondary menu of atom symbols to appear at the bottom of the screen in the message area previously reserved. The list was chosen by frequency of appearance in organic compounds as determined by an examination of compounds in the Structure and Nomenclature Search System (a component of The Chemical Information System). Similarly, bonds were drawn using the last selected bond type. 

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